The Return to Trumplandia

The Return to Trumplandia

Author: The Progress Network with Zachary Karabell and Emma Varvaloucas March 5, 2025 Duration: 46:02
Welcome to Season 7! This week, Zachary Karabell and Emma Varvaloucas discuss the duality of news, focusing on the positive amidst the negative. They explore the impact of the Trump administration on American politics, the importance of understanding diverse voter perspectives, and the role of information in shaping political decisions. The conversation emphasizes the disconnect between government actions and daily life, advocating for a deeper engagement with local politics. They explore the dynamics of democracy, accountability, and the influence of the Trump administration, emphasizing the need for vigilance and active participation in governance. The discussion also touches on the global perspective of American politics, highlighting the resilience of international communities and the complexities of global interrelations. What Could Go Right? is produced by The Progress Network and The Podglomerate. For transcripts, to join the newsletter, and for more information, visit: theprogressnetwork.org Watch the podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/theprogressnetwork And follow us on X, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok: @progressntwrk

It’s easy to feel that everything is falling apart, but what if the dominant narrative of decline is missing a crucial piece of the story? What Could Go Right? asks that question directly, offering a necessary counterpoint to the daily drumbeat of crises. Hosted by The Progress Network’s Zachary Karabell and Emma Varvaloucas, this podcast operates from a simple but radical premise: while the problems are real, so is the human capacity for ingenuity and constructive change. Each episode brings together a diverse group of thinkers, from scientists and activists to policymakers and cultural commentators, for conversations that go beyond diagnosing issues to exploring tangible solutions and underreported advances. You’ll hear nuanced discussions on everything from climate technology and economic innovation to the reshaping of governance and culture, all grounded in a realistic sense of possibility. This isn’t about blind optimism; it’s about engaged, evidence-based hope. Tuning in means joining a community that believes understanding what’s working is just as important as understanding what’s broken. If you’re weary of doomscrolling and looking for substantive dialogue that charts a path forward, this is the podcast for you.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

What Could Go Right?
Podcast Episodes
Is the World Order Actually Disintegrating? | with Ian Bremmer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:41
What happens when the rules of the global game are being rewritten in real-time? Ian Bremmer, the founder of Eurasia Group and GZERO Media, joins host Zachary Karabell to discuss how to navigate a world defined by a "lon…
Do we need a NEW America? | with Anne-Marie Slaughter [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:15
What do we do when our systems stop working? Anne-Marie Slaughter, the CEO of New America, former Director of Policy Planning at the U.S. State Department under Secretary Hillary Clinton, and one of the most influential…
Turning Down the Headline Noise [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:34
Let’s close out Season 7! Zachary and Emma look back on seven months of thought-provoking positive conversations, from global politics to the depths of sci-fi, exploring how to stay hopeful in a world hooked on negative…
The Progress Report: China’s Climate Change Commitment [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:14
Get ready for a Progress Report season finale packed with good news as Emma shares some life-changing breakthroughs! The Gates Foundation is funding a game-changing GBS vaccine, while a cutting-edge AI stroke diagnosis s…
Whatever Happened to Civics? with Nick Capodice [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:11
It’s time for a lesson in civics! Zachary and Emma are joined by Nick Capodice, co-host of the Civics 101 podcast where he gets into the basics of how the U.S. government works and also helps teachers design lesson plans…
The Progress Report: This Bacteria Beats Dengue Fever [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:08
Emma brings you a solo edition of the Progress Report, highlighting several positive global advancements. Brazil goes bold with a two-part strategy against dengue fever, involving both a homegrown vaccine and specially b…
Turning Science Fiction Into Reality with Ed Finn [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:52
Can today’s science fiction become tomorrow’s guidebook for change? Zachary and Emma sit down with Ed Finn, the visionary behind the Center for Science and the Imagination at ASU and academic director of Future Tense. Ed…
The Progress Report: Techie to Trekkie: AirPods That Translate! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:43
Get ready for another uplifting Progress Report! This week, Zachary and Emma bring you inspiring stories of innovation and hope from across the globe. Trekkies rejoice as Apple’s new AirPods push tech into sci-fi territo…
The Guardian of Public Lands with Josh Jackson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:33
How do we protect America’s wild open spaces while meeting the demands of conservation, recreation, and development? Zachary welcomes Josh Jackson, author of The Enduring Wild: A Journey Into California's Public Lands. F…